Tonight’s Program Outline Greek Values Greek History Today’s Greeks Greek Council Membership Requirements New Member Period Guidelines Alcohol Policy Hazing Policy Hazing Myths Alternatives to Hazing Questions
All fraternities & sororities were founded on the following values: Scholarship Leadership Service/Philanthropy Brotherhood/Sisterhood All members strive to uphold these values in their everyday lives Membership is for life, not just as an undergrad
First fraternity was Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary First sorority was Adelphean Society (now Alpha Delta Pi sorority), founded in 1851 at Wesleyan College in Georgia Founded as social Greeks Social Development – not social event To prepare members for life
Pitt-Bradford founded in 1963 First fraternity, Delta Omega Phi, founded in 1985 First sorority, Zeta Alpha Chi, founded in 1986 There are currently 8 Greek groups at P-B five fraternities & three sororities 100 members, or 7% of the student population national average for state schools is 10%-15%
Dr. Martin Luther King, Alpha Phi Alpha Steven Spielberg, Theta Chi Ashton Kutcher, Delta Chi Rosa Parks, Alpha Kappa Alpha Nick Lachey, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Alpha Chi Omega John Wayne, Sigma Chi Dr. Seuss, Sigma Phi Epsilon
150 fraternities and sororities 100 fraternities 30 sororities Myriad of multi-cultural groups Asian, Latino & LGBT groups 700,000 undergraduates 300,000 varsity athletes 12,000 chapters 800 campuses 9,000,000 alumni
Greek Council is the governing body for fraternities and sororities at Pitt-Bradford Greek Council meets Tuesdays, 11:15-noon in 218 Commons Typical activities include the following: Recruitment Greek Week President’s monthly meetings Annual Greek Retreat Pitt-Bradford Facebook group Constitution and Budget are on the Greek web site (
President: Ken Berkopec Vice President: Emily Lewellin Treasurer: Seth Everett Secretary: Chelsea Boyles Activities: Amanda Dillon Public Relations: David Littlefield Community Service: Dustin Chilson Sergeant at Arms: Jarek Holjencin
Move from a Greek system to a Greek community Host a monthly Chapter President’s meeting Conduct an annual Greek retreat Achieve 150 members (10% of the student population) Involve the Greek community with the Pitt-Bradford community by having members involved on campus and co-sponsoring programs/philanthropies Host a Greek Week that involves Greeks and non-Greeks, builds upon the sense of community & includes Greek Awards Fight Greek stereotypes by educating the campus about Greeks Each chapter commits to sending one member to UIFI during summer 2011
Greek membership is open to the following students: Those who have achieved a minimum of a 2.00 GPA Those who have completed 12 or more hours of coursework Transfer students from another Pitt campus may join without the 12 hours of Pitt-Bradford coursework Submit an application to the Associate Dean of Students
U. of Pittsburgh values equality of opportunity, human dignity and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity Accordingly, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, handicap, or military service
Chapters have the discretion to select their own members according to their stated purposes and values As part of the university community, fraternities and sororities must adhere to the Human Dignity statement in their selection process Furthermore fraternities and sororities value diversity and actively recruit diverse memberships
Begins Nov. 2 Ends Nov. 13 with initiation No more than 12 hours of activities per week are allowed, not including study hours All activities will take place between 9 pm – midnight Most chapters have study hours and other academic assistance for new members Remember your classes come first during this period Each new member will receive their chapter’s specific schedule tonight
During NMO You will learn: Your chapter’s values, history & traditions How your chapter operates (structure, officers, meetings, etc.) The members of your chapter including new members The Greek community How to be successful at Pitt-Bradford Development is for four years, not just with NMO
No alcohol shall be present at any new member program, activity or ritual of the chapter. This includes but is not limited to: bid night big brother – little brother events or activities big sister - little sister events or activities family events or activities initiation
Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol, paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law.
According to the Pennsylvania General Assembly: “Any person who causes or participates in hazing commits a third degree misdemeanor” Such penalties may include the imposition of fines, the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules or pending payment of fines and the imposition of probation, suspension or dismissal.
Regardless of the willingness of the participant Most Dangerous Hazing Acts 1. Forced consumption of anything (alcohol, water) 2. Calisthenics, runs, push-ups, etc. 3. Paddling 4. Line-Ups 5. Sleep deprivation (hell weeks) 6. Road Trips 7. Running Personal Errands of the Members
If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can't be considered hazing In states that have laws against hazing consent of the victim can't be used as a defense True consent can not be given considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group
Hazing is a problem for fraternities and sororities primarily Hazing is a societal problem Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the military, athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional schools and other types of clubs and/or organizations
Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry Hazing is an act of power and control over others --- it is victimization Hazing is pre-meditated and NOT accidental Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life- threatening
As long as there's no malicious intent, a little hazing should be O.K. Even if there's no malicious "intent" safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be "all in good fun" Serious accidents have occurred during scavenger hunts and kidnapping trips
Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline First of all, respect must be EARNED--not taught. Victims of hazing rarely report having respect for those who have hazed them Just like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation
It's difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing--it's such a gray area sometimes It's not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense and ask yourself the following questions: Would you tell your parents? Would you tell the Associate Dean? Would you tell the Source?
No one really gets injured in hazing For the past 20 years at least 10 hazing deaths each year have occurred on college campuses
Individual Criminal Liability Jail time, fines, or both Civil Liability Damages up to $1.2 million have been awarded to plaintiffs Suspension/dismissal from Pitt-Bradford Chapter Suspension
1. Do community service 2. Raise money for a charity 3. Conduct a ropes course 4. Bring in a speaker on leadership 5. Have members join another student group 6. Have members visit the Career Center 7. Have an etiquette lunch/dinner 8. Write a “letter to the founders” to thank them 9. Write a letter, opened a year from now, about what you want to accomplish 10. Trace your “Greek Family” history 11. Attend a program/event another Greek organization 12. Shadow an officer and assist in planning of a program/event 13. Invite your Faculty Advisor to lunch 14. Discuss fraternity/sorority values and how to incorporate them daily 15. Review parliamentary procedure 16. Invite an alumnus to talk about the fraternity/sorority
Ritual is what separates fraternities and sororities from all other student groups Initiation is the time when new members go through the ritual All members have gone through the same ritual since the founding Members typically swear an oath to support the group and to live up to certain values Not just as an undergrad, but for life
If you have to ask, it’s hazing If in doubt, call your advisor If you won’t pick up the phone, you have your answer If you haze, you have low self esteem If you allow hazing to occur, you are a “hazing enabler” Failure to stop hazing can result in death - University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Anti Hazing Policy
To report hazing 24/7 call You won’t have to identify yourself
CONTACT: Dr. Ron Binder Associate Dean of Students Telephone: Cell: